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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 15, 2010

Lackland celebrates 100 years of military flight

By Mike Joseph 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

Lackland, other area military installations and organizations in San Antonio have begun a series of events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of military flight in Texas.

The University of Texas at San Antonio and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce are the lead organizations for Centennial of Military Flight in Texas activities commemorating the first military flight at Fort Sam Houston in 1910 by Benjamin Foulois.

According to historical records, military aviation was born March 2, 1910 at Fort Sam Houston when then Lt. Foulois made the first flight in Army aircraft Signal Corps No. 1, a Model A Wright flyer. It was the first successful flight by a military pilot from a military reservation.

Foulois was a member of the Army Signal Corps when he began a series of flights that demonstrated the value of the airplane for use in military applications. These tests, which led to the establishment of the Army Air Corps, started developments that have led to today's air fleets.

Lackland's role in military aviation history started July 4, 1942, when the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center was established as one of three centers that processed and classified aircrew candidates for training. The center had its name changed to Lackland Air Force Base in 1947 to honor Brig. Gen. Frank D. Lackland, who envisioned an aviation cadet reception and training center for Kelly AFB in the early 1940s.

Beginning this month, Lackland is making a more concentrated effort to bring area school students to visit the base air parks and museums. The purpose is to educate the students about military aviation history.

"We're making a big education push with all the area schools about military flying," said Tracy English, 37th Training Wing historian. "People think of Kitty Hawk (North Carolina) with flying in general but military aviation was born in San Antonio.

"We get a lot of schools on a regular basis, we just want to emphasize it more," he continued. "We'll talk about the Centennial of Flight, Foulois and the technological process that has been made the last 100 years since it is well represented in our air parks."

Starting in March, local business and civic leaders will be invited over several months to attend basic military training graduations. An emphasis on the Centennial of Flight will be made during the graduation parades.

The theme will also be incorporated into the Fiesta king's annual Lackland visit in April, the 63rd Air Force ball in September and the Lackland Air Show in November to conclude military appreciation week.

"We're also looking at representing ourselves at other local events involving Centennial of Flight," said Mr. English. "We want to make sure we show our colors and we intend to get our Airmen out in the public."